It’s widely known and confirmed by medical professionals that sunscreen is an important solution to protection from the sun. Researchers have found the necessity to protect the skin year round is one of the most important routines of your day-to-day health. Children have much more sensitive and less pigmented skin. Pigment protects and darkens the skin, which is why those of African American or Hispanic heritage sunburn less than Caucasian skin.
In a recent study, research found that half of the 360 fifth graders surveyed in 2004 routinely used sunscreen. The numbers worsened when the same age group was surveyed again three years later in 2007 and they found only 25 percent were routinely using sunscreen. During the survey, both groups were also asked if they had experienced sunburns that summer and more than half responded yes.
We all need some sun exposure; it’s our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. But it doesn’t take much time in the sun for most people to get the vitamin D they need, and repeated unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer. Even people in their twenties can develop skin cancer.
We all need some sun exposure; it’s our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. But it doesn’t take much time in the sun for most people to get the vitamin D they need, and repeated unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer. Even people in their twenties can develop skin cancer.